Plus,
these scum might become combative or persecute us or ridicule us for
believing in Jesus.

How
many of us spend time around nonbelievers?

How
many of us only hang with fellow believers?

Tax
collectors were at the very bottom of the social & religious
paradigm – hated & reviled by everyone in Israel. What was it
about Jesus that made them want to be around Him?

Since
once we become His followers, Jesus spends all His time trying to
make us like Him, wouldn't it follow that people who our culture
hates & reviles should want to be around us?

Think
of it this way – what if the people who directly influenced us to
become followers of Jesus had been as prissy & precious as we are
sometimes & not used their influence to guide us toward a
commitment to Jesus?

Think
about that...

And
think about the nonbelievers all around us who just need someone
(each of us) to show them the way to Jesus.